Minister Promises Action Amid Nepali Students' Controversy; Opposition to Address in Assembly
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Synopsis
The outrage over the tragic suicide of a KIIT University student has led to significant protests by Nepali students. The Odisha government has pledged strict action, and the opposition party aims to discuss the matter in the Assembly.
Key Takeaways
- Odisha government to take strict action
- Opposition BJD to raise issue in Assembly
- High-level committee formed for investigation
- Police accused of misconduct against Nepali students
- Incident escalates into an international issue
Bhubaneswar, Feb 20 (NationPress) The uproar surrounding the tragic suicide of a third-year KIIT University student and the following actions against Nepali protesting students has not subsided. The Odisha government has assured stringent measures while the Opposition BJD has committed to addressing this issue in the Assembly on Thursday.
The Skill Development and Technical Education Minister of Odisha, Sampad Chandra Swain, stated on Thursday that severe actions will be taken against those accountable for this tragic event at KIIT University.
“Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has requested the Nepali students to return to the university and restore normalcy on campus. The treatment meted out to the students was indeed shameful,” remarked Swain.
He elaborated that the private university's authorities should have displayed greater empathy towards the protesting students.
The minister also mentioned that every problem has a solution.
Swain emphasized that the arbitrary conduct of KIIT authorities is utterly unacceptable and that the Odisha government has formed a high-level committee to investigate the matter.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja engaged in discussions with Nepali counselors regarding the unfortunate event.
“The government is treating this matter with utmost seriousness and will enforce strict penalties against those responsible. Measures will be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future,” Swain assured.
Conversely, Opposition parties have relentlessly criticized the BJP government, attributing the worsening law and order situation in the state to this incident.
BJD MLA Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo described the suicide of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, who faced ongoing harassment from her ex-boyfriend, as both shocking and tragic.
“What’s even more shocking is that some lower-level officials from the institution instructed all Nepali students to vacate the campus. This is certainly regrettable and has escalated into an international concern. It has not only brought shame to the institution but also to the state of Odisha and India,” Singh Deo stated.
He further indicated that this incident has escalated into a significant controversy due to the negligence of the current Odisha government and police, who failed to act promptly.
BJD leaders mentioned that Nepali female students have alleged in statements to local news channels that local police entered their hostel rooms, seized their phones, and forcibly ordered them to leave the campus.
They affirmed that the BJD will bring up the issue and the deteriorating law and order situation in the Odisha Assembly.
On Thursday, various student organizations continued their protests demanding an investigation into Prakriti's suicide and the assault on other Nepali students by KIIT University authorities in Bhubaneswar.
Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech (Computer Science) student, took her own life on Sunday after enduring constant harassment from her estranged boyfriend Advik Shrivastava, a B.Tech (Mechanical) student.
Police apprehended the accused at Bhubaneswar Airport while he attempted to flee the city on Monday.
